SAT

Overview

SAT stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test. It is a standardized test with a pre-defined syllabus that is designed to test critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to analyze and solve problems in math, critical reading, and writing. The SAT is one way to demonstrate a student’s competitiveness and their likelihood to succeed in a course, and is one of the several factors that many universities and colleges consider when making their admission decisions alongside high school grades.

SAT is classified into two. The first is the SAT that tests knowledge of the subjects taught every day in high school classrooms which are reading, writing and math. The second is the SAT Subject Test that examines a student’s proficiency in a particular subject matter. This test is usually taken by students who are applying for a specialized field of study such as English Literature, World History, Mathematics, Biology or Chemistry.

Preparation is key to getting a good score in the SAT. Investing time and effort in preparing for the exam is a critical element in the test taking strategy. USHASHREE Foundation offers quality SAT coaching that ensures students get the best possible preparation. Here are just a few of the reasons why students should choose to prepare for the SAT with The USHASHREE Foundation:

One of the best global education companies in Nepal with 10 years of experience in assisting students make informed decisions about their futures and guiding them about their education options overseas.

Vast experience in providing quality test preparation programmes for some of the most common standardized tests worldwide having helped several thousand students every year to successfully achieve their desired test scores.

Experienced, qualified and professional faculty drawn from some of the most elite institutions in Nepal all of whom have undergone a rigorous training schedule and who are subject to a regular and thorough evaluation process to ensure that their subject knowledge and teaching practices continue to be amongst the best in the industry.

Thorough understanding of university entry requirements and admission processes worldwide with a vast network of partner institutions across the globe where thousands of students are placed annually having successfully achieved their desired test scores.

Flexible and convenient schedules that suit students’ needs and requirements with small batch sizes that allow personalized attention to ensure that every individual establishes realistic goals for score improvement, understands the key test concepts and is given comprehensive guidance on effective test taking strategies.

In addition, USHASHREE Foundation also offers all its students a comprehensive 5 Point Study Plan built around their needs and requirements. Students enrolling for SAT preparation with The USHASHREE Foundation will benefit from the ability to:

Content: USHASHREE Foundation uses the most relevant and frequently tested content helping its students to fully familiarise themselves with the SAT and to organise their time in an effective manner to achieve the best scores.

Critical Thinking Strategies: Realising that standardised tests rely on more than just the content, USHASHREE Foundation constantly updates and customises its study and reference material, along with practice test papers, to ensure that it addresses the student’s specific areas of concern. A personalised report which identifies areas of weaknesses and strengths is generated to help the student identify his or her testing patterns and work in a focused manner. USHASHREE Foundation result-oriented strategies enable students to increase both speed and accuracy./li>

Essential Practice: USHASHREE Foundation collection of practice tests, other than basic content and timed drills, follow the same structure of the actual SAT. The realistic practice and extensive training, as well as test day tips and exam strategies provided by expert instructors, enhance students’ confidence in facing the actual test.

No Time Constraints: USHASHREE Foundation provides intensive classroom coaching for 2 to 3 months, but its in-house library and center resources are available to students for a period of 6 months. The class schedule is divided into modules, each of which concentrates on a specific topic tested in the SAT. In terms of course duration and time slots, flexibility is provided. Weekend classes allow students to prepare for the SAT in accordance with their daily schedules.

Each section of the SAT (Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing) will be scored on a scale that ranges from 200-800 points giving a possible total of 2400. Two ‘subscores’ will also be reported, which are for the multiple-choice writing section (scored from 20-80), and an essay (scored from 2-12).

The first step in calculating the SAT score is to figure out the ‘raw score’ that is done by:

Adding points for correct answers.

Subtracting a fraction of a point for wrong answers.

Questions that a student does not answer do not count either for or against their score. Neither are points taken away for wrong answers on the math questions where the answers has to be entered into a grid. The raw score for each section is then converted into a scaled score. This is where the score of 200–800 points comes from, which is done through a statistical process called ‘equating’.

Key points to bear in mind when taking the SAT:

Every incorrect answer will result in negative marking (1/4 marks per question).

Too much time is often taken up answering specific questions, especially, in the Critical Reading section, which results in loss of valuable time to attempt other questions.

The Critical Reading section is often seen as a challenge for students as it tests complicated language usage.

USHASHREE Foundation 9 key insights into the SAT:

The SAT Class is offered in every month.

The test is generally conducted on the first Sunday of every month.

Students have 3 hours and 45 minutes to take the SAT, not including breaks and check-in time.

The best time to take the SAT is in class 11, or at the beginning of class 12, with at least six to eight months before the board exams commence.

SAT scores are valid for five years.

Students can take the test more than once to see if they can score better but they should only do so if they are confident that they can improve.

The essay question asks students to develop a point of view on an issue and support it with examples from what they have learned inside and outside of school. There is no right or wrong answer to the essay question. Students need not have previous knowledge of any particular subject to successfully answer the essay question.

There is no definition of a ‘good’ SAT score. Generally speaking, scoring close to the mean (average) – about 500 on critical reading, 500 on mathematics and 500 on writing-shows that a student has scored as well as about half of the other students who have taken the test.

Each college has its own way of using test scores and evaluating applicants. The SAT score reports sent to colleges include score ranges and percentiles that provide some context for how well a student has performed in the test.

FAQ

Q: Why is the SAT important for college admissions?

A: Colleges and Universities use different criterion during the admission process, the SAT being one of them. The test score is an important parameter that institutions evaluate while processing your application for admission, in order to understand you better.

Q: What is the set duration for the SAT?

A: The SAT consists of 10 sections:

A 25-minute essay

Six 25-minute sections (mathematics, critical reading and writing)

Two 20-minute sections (mathematics, critical reading and writing)

A 10-minute multiple-choice writing section

Total test time: 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Q: How is the SAT scored?

A: SAT is scored on a scale of 600-2400, with 200-800 scale for each of Maths, Critical Reading and Writing.

Q: How many times should I take the SAT?

A: Preparation is the key. Most students may take the SAT once or twice. We recommend that you prepare well before appearing for the exam as there is no evidence that taking the SAT multiple times significantly improves your score.

Q: How many times is the SAT conducted every year?

A: 6 times (Jan, May, June, Oct, Nov, Dec). The test is generally conducted on the first Saturday of the month (except in the month of January, when it is taken on the last Saturday).